The Island of California Series

The first 3 portals

Alex Lee is a Freshman at Palo Alto High in the Silicon Valley. With no friends and the most ordinary name ever, not to mention a mother who has somehow turned into a mindless zombie, Alex doesn’t know how things could get worse. But when she comes face to face with a leprechaun on her way home from school, she finds out. Armed only with a clarinet and advice from her Buddha-quoting grandmother, Alex is forced into an adventure that will lead her from a high-tech security breach, through an army of griffins to a point where she could save her mom- if she isn’t torn apart by overwhelming magical forces first.

Marked by humor and insight, this fresh take on the classic Spanish romance of the magical Island of California will keep readers turning pages as they try to find the answer to the question, “What will Alex do next?”

The saga continues with the second book of The Island of California Series.

Alex is just settling in to a relaxing Spring Break when a leprechaun appears at her door and tells her to run. And she doesn’t stop running: from the police, the FBI, angry griffins, a powerful wizard, and her teachers – who happen to be Amazon warriors. ‘Detention’ has a far more serious meaning if all your teachers carry spears across their backs and know how to use them! Her Buddha-quoting grandmother and the leprechauns seem to have a plan to get her out of her mess, but the more she follows it, the worse things seem to get. The down of the phoenix just might help, but then again, if she uses it wrong she could rip apart the very fabric of existence.

In Tales from the Island of California, by Catherine Weaver, almost anything could happen, and does. From an Amazon war, to a dryad love story, to the tale of an Imperial Phoenix, it is an amazing escape that transports you into magical worlds. An intriguing book of short stories filled with alternate histories, this short work may have you feeling that magic really is just around the corner.

“This story is important because it offers readers the idea that the world does not have to be lifeless and dull, that instead it is filled with wonderful, magical beauty and adventure. It sparks the imagination, encourages us to be better and not only make our world better but be on the look out for other worlds. Catherine Weaver has constructed an entire fantasy world and built a bridge to it that, although newly erected, will continue to carry adventurous dreamers across for many years to come. "Gold Dust" is the first in a series of books starring Alex Lee and I am sure this gifted author will give us more magic, more imagination and through a little more gold dust, she just might start another Gold Rush in California.” —David Carus, Artists Run This Planet

"A perfect selection for a YA summer reading list, author Catherine Weaver has woven a deftly told tale of an alternative universe fantasy where a Californian teenager must deal with all manner of magical creatures in an original adventure marked with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists. Eager readers will be looking forward with enthusiasm for Catherine Weaver's next novel! A popular addition to community library YA fantasy collections, it should also be noted that "Gold Dust" is also available in an ebook format (Kindle, $7.99)." —Julie Summers, Midwest Book Review

“Instead of facing death and destruction, Alex was up against the death of imagination. I liked this juxtaposition of the creative thinker versus the corporate robot.”—Steph Warren, Bookshine and Readbows

“This second trip into the life of the ‘ordinary girl’ Alex Lee and her magical adventures was even more action-packed than the first: she pops between worlds, forms a band, and starts Amazon warrior-school all on her way to saving her dad this time.”—Steph Warren, Bookshine and Readbows